PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies made an interesting roster move Saturday, just eight days before the big-league rosters are permitted to expand beyond the 25-man limit.

Reid Brignac, who had been the most capable reserve infielder on the big-league roster this season, was designated for assignment in order to make room for utility man Freddy Galvis. Brignac had received little playing time since coming off the disabled list a month ago and was just 1-for-15 with nine strikeouts and had made just one start in 25 games.

Brignac had filled in for Cody Asche at third base for much of June and was batting .258 with a .738 OPS when he suffered a high ankle sprain in St. Louis June 19. However, with Asche back at third and both he and Brignac being left-handed hitters, the opportunities for him to play had dried up.

“Reid did a good job while he was with us. He helped us win some games when Cody was out and he had a chance to play,” Ryne Sandberg said. “It was a little bit difficult, with all of our infielders being left-handed (hitters), to get him playing time.”

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Don’t be surprised if the roster move comes with another intention. The Orioles found out this week that third baseman Manny Machado will be lost for the season to knee surgery, and the market for trade-eligible third basemen is thin. However, Brignac’s DFA status will make him available for either a trade or waiver claim.

As for Galvis, he hit .273 with a .787 OPS for Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 33 games since returning from a fractured clavicle. Galvis had been expected to be on the Phillies’ opening-day roster, but contracted MRSA late in spring training. When he got his first call-up with the Phils he struggled immensely, going 2-for-42 at the plate.

Sandberg hopes the organization’s best fielder has put the struggles behind him.

“Freddy has swung the bat well ... it was important for him to get a number of at-bats,” Sandberg said. “He can be more versatile on defense ... He has a knack for defense at a lot of positions. He got off to a slow start with the bat. The last time we saw him, he was off with his timing at the plate.”

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Another member of the Phillies’ low-profile ownership group passed away Saturday morning, as the organization announced that Sara Long “Sally” Buck died.

Sally Buck is the third member of the Buck ownership group to pass away in the last four years. Her husband of 56 years, A.K. “Whip” Buck, died in 2010, and his other brother, J. Mahlon Buck, passed away in 2011. Another owner, Claire Betz, died earlier this year at 93 and the Phillies are wearing a “CB” patch on their uniforms this season in her memory.

Phillies president David Montgomery, who has been in a battle with cancer this year, issued a statement that read in part:

“The Phillies are very sorry to learn of Sally’s passing ... Whip and Sally provided consistent support for the organization both as partners and fans. Sally was loved by many in the Phillies organization from front office staff, to players, to fellow owners. Her passing leaves the club with a profound sense of loss. Her presence at Citizens Bank Park will be missed by all who knew and loved her.”

Three of the Buck brothers were part of the ownership group put together in 1981 to purchase the organization from the Carpenter family. William Buck, 85, is the last surviving Buck brother in the ownership group. He, Montgomery, Bill Giles and John Middleton are the remaining owners from the organization’s purchase 33 years ago.

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When veteran reliever Mike Adams went on the disabled list with a rotator cuff injury in June after having offseason shoulder surgery, it seemed that was it for the right-hander in a Phillies’ uniform.

Not so fast. The Phillies announced to the surprise of many — Sandberg included — that Adams would start a rehabilitation assignment Tuesday with Lehigh Valley.

“He was in Florida doing his throwing program and progressed quickly in the last week or so,” Sandberg said of Adams, who was 2-1 with a 2.12 ERA in 19 games with the Phils before the shoulder problems re-emerged. “We’ll monitor that and see how he progresses.”